Izard County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.2 | 14,169 people · 51st most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Izard County, AR registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.2 — 1006th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Arkansas, it ranks 51st of 75 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Izard County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 84.8 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 84.8
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 87
Income vs. State Median 66
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 73.8
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 88
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 89
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 58
Economic Vitality 60.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 35.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Housing Cost Burden 19.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 49

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Izard County
Izard County, AR 59.2 Elevated —
Sharp County, AR 59.8 Elevated +0.6
Fulton County, AR 59.6 Elevated +0.4
Independence County, AR 59.3 Elevated +0.1
Baxter County, AR 54.2 Elevated -5.0
Stone County, AR 53.1 Elevated -6.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Izard County
Jennings County, IN 59.2 Elevated +0.0
Rhea County, TN 59.2 Elevated +0.0
Fleming County, KY 59.2 Elevated +0.0
Coosa County, AL 59.2 Elevated +0.0
Henry County, TN 59.2 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Izard County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Izard County

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Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-609-5668

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Izard County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Arkansas 1-800-950-5817
Center for Arkansas Legal Services 1-800-950-5817

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Izard County, Arkansas?

    Izard County has a County Distress Index score of 59.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,006th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Izard County?

    The primary driver of distress in Izard County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 84.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Izard County compare to neighboring counties?

    Izard County (59.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sharp County, AR (59.8); Fulton County, AR (59.6); Independence County, AR (59.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Izard County's score of 59.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Izard County's CDI score?

    Izard County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Izard County?

    Izard County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 14,169 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.